Copper use in a QT as a preventative

[Makenna]

Hey all,

Quick question looking for your opinions and experiences.

I have some Bimac Anthias in QT right now, they are doing great eating, out and about, and in general healthy.

I think it is accurate to say that the ich parasite may be present in otherwise healthy fish and not present itself as a symptom in a healthy fish.

So, in an effort to keep the parasite out of the DT, would the use of a 2 week treatment of cupramine in QT in a fish that is not showing symptoms be a good and safe practive?

Thanks in advance!

 

[RBU1]

Well in my opinion yes its worth it. But not a 2 week treatment a 4 week treatment. If you call Seachem they will tell you 4 weeks. Some people will tell you to QT the fish for 2 months and keep an eye on them. If they stay clean you are safe. I personally do not feel comfortable with this. So I treat with Cuprmaine but only after I have had the fish in a copper free tank for a week or more making sure they are fat and eating before starting copper. I also make sure I split the dose out even more than Seachem suggests. My dose for my 125 treatment tank is 24 ml and that will get me to the .5 I space the 24ml out in 4 - 6ml doses all spaced 48 hours apart. I make sure all the fish continue eating and are acting normal between doses. Good Luck.

 

[Makenna]

Good Advice there. DO you find that Cupramine stays in solution for you, or do you find that you have to add it regularly to maintain the .5 level?

 

[RBU1]

My tank is a bare bottom with PVC pipr so I really never noticed a drop in my level. I recently purchased a copper colorimeter so I can get a more accurate reading. I am currently in the testing phase with this meter and am not sure that I got the correct one. If you follow the Seachem instructions it should get you to the .5 If you don't have rock or sand or other things that would absorb the copper the level should stay for you. I use the Salifert test kit and find it the easier one to read.

 

[aznepydna]

I recently purchased a copper colorimeter so I can get a more accurate reading. I am currently in the testing phase with this meter and am not sure that I got the correct one.

Did you purchase the Hach Pocket Colorimeter? If so you must use the Version 2 reagents in saltwater. This requires a 25ml sample instead of 10ml.

Andy

 

[Makenna]

My tank is a bare bottom with PVC pipr so I really never noticed a drop in my level. I recently purchased a copper colorimeter so I can get a more accurate reading. I am currently in the testing phase with this meter and am not sure that I got the correct one. If you follow the Seachem instructions it should get you to the .5 If you don't have rock or sand or other things that would absorb the copper the level should stay for you. I use the Salifert test kit and find it the easier one to read.

Interesting that you mention the Salifert test kit. I dosed a half dose of Cupramine in a tank, then tested it 24 hours later, nothing on the test kit.

So, i figured I woudl check it. I put 4 drops of Curpamine in a half gallon of water, checked after 15 min, nothing again....

I finally put 12 drops in a half gallon before I got a reading out of the salifert kit. Does this experience sound familiar at all with the Salifert kit? It shows an exp date of 12/2009, so that certainly could be it. Regardless, I ordered a seachem kit, but just curious as to how your Salifert kit worked.

Thanks!

 

[RBU1]

Did you purchase the Hach Pocket Colorimeter? If so you must use the Version 2 reagents in saltwater. This requires a 25ml sample instead of 10ml.

Andy

I actually purchased the hanna meter. I got the high range and we are wonding if I should have got the low range....In testing phase and will know soon. Good thing for me I purchased it from a chemical company and the person I speak to on the phone knows a great deal about chemistry so he is helping me confirm the meter.....

 

[RBU1]

Interesting that you mention the Salifert test kit. I dosed a half dose of Cupramine in a tank, then tested it 24 hours later, nothing on the test kit.

So, i figured I woudl check it. I put 4 drops of Curpamine in a half gallon of water, checked after 15 min, nothing again....

I finally put 12 drops in a half gallon before I got a reading out of the salifert kit. Does this experience sound familiar at all with the Salifert kit? It shows an exp date of 12/2009, so that certainly could be it. Regardless, I ordered a seachem kit, but just curious as to how your Salifert kit worked.

Thanks!

Interesting....Be careful with your dosing of the tank till you figure out what is happening. I ever had any issues with the salifert kit. The seachem kit was a PITA in my opinion. Do you have anything in the tank that would hold the copper....Rock, sand, are you running carbon or anything? I started again last night with dosing my tank. I use a 125 for treatment and my total dosage to get to .5 is 24ml. I dose 6ml wait 48 hours and confirm fish are eating as well then dose another 6ml and reapeat till I get the 24ml in the tank. Spacing it out longer gives the fish a better adjustment period in my opinion.